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Anglers! With the large amount of rain and snow pack we have received over the past couple of months, the Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 3,300 CFS. Over the past couple of weeks, the question we have been asked the most is: When is the Upper Kern going to be safe for fishing? While this is a difficult question to answer, we are looking at mid-June, closer to July, August and September. In the past, these have been difficult months to fish due to the low water levels, but Mother Nature has changed the forecast drastically.

While we do not recommend fishing the Upper Kern in these conditions with the flows so high, there are the few that will not take no for an answer. If you must fish, stay out of the water and fish along the banks with heavily weighted nymphs and a sinking leader.

Lake Isabella

With the Upper and Lower Kern pushing the limits with record breaking flows, we are fortunate enough to have an alternative location to fish: Lake Isabella. With the massive influx of water, which we have not had in the lake since May of 2007, these conditions are bound to create a healthy habitat and grounds for the fish to become extremely active. At the present time, here you will come across trout, bass, crappie and even carp, which are a challenge to land on the fly!

Come see us at Kern River Fly Shop and we will get you set up with some bass and crappie flies. Or, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ONLINE ORDER and we will pick them out for you. Oh, and do not forget your float tube! If you do not have one, don’t worry! We have some at the shop for purchase or rental!

Lower Kern

Stay far, far away from the Lower Kern, unless you are an extreme kayaker. The flows are around 5,000 CFS and extremely dangerous at this time.

Forks of the Kern

With the current flows and forecasted run off, it is going to be a couple of months before we can even access the Forks. In the meantime and after April 30th, try hitting up some of the smaller streams, creeks and tributaries running into the main Kern River.

Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing

Come check out our new Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing education center, which is conveniently located next to Kern River Fly Shop. Here you will find a separate area solely dedicated to teaching. This is where we hold a portion of our Beginner, Advanced, Intermediate and guide training courses.

Introducing our new online booking system for Guy Jeans Fly Fishing Guide Service. Whether you are interested in an Extended Full-Day Guide Trip to the Forks of the Kern, a Full-Day Float Trip on the Lower Kern for bass, or a Half-Day Beginner Package, we have many options available for you and your guests. Pick the date and book it now before it is too late! BOOK A GUIDE TRIP NOW.

For the latest and greatest updated reports, do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Anglers! With the large amount of rain and snow pack we have received over the past couple of months, the Upper Kern River is definitely running strong at approximately 3,100 CFS. Over the past couple of weeks, the question we have been asked the most is: When is the Upper Kern going to be safe for fishing? While this is a difficult question to answer, we are looking at mid-June, closer to July, August and September. In the past, these have been difficult months to fish due to the low water levels, but Mother Nature has changed the forecast drastically.

While we do not recommend fishing the Upper Kern in these conditions with the flows so high, there are the few that will not take no for an answer. If you must fish, stay out of the water and fish along the banks with heavily weighted nymphs and a sinking leader. Who knows, you may land one of those great trophy trout or as Mr. Humphreys did a couple of weeks ago, a Native Sacramento Pikeminnow.

Penn State’s Fly-Fishing Legend, Joe Humphreys, on the Upper Kern River with a Native Sacramento Pikeminnow.

Lake Isabella

With the Upper and Lower Kern pushing the limits with record breaking flows, we are fortunate enough to have an alternative location to fish: Lake Isabella. With the massive influx of water, which we have not had in the lake since May of 2007, these conditions are bound to create a healthy habitat and grounds for the fish to become extremely active. At the present time, here you will come across trout, bass, crappie and even carp, which are a challenge to land on the fly!

Come see us at Kern River Fly Shop and we will get you set up with some bass and crappie flies. Or, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ONLINE ORDER and we will pick them out for you. Oh, and do not forget your float tube! If you do not have one, don’t worry! We have some at the shop for purchase or rental!

Guy getting into some Crappie on Lake Isabella.Having a good time in Bakersfield!

Lower Kern

Stay far, far away from the Lower Kern, unless you are an extreme kayaker. The flows are around 5,000 CFS and extremely dangerous at this time.

Forks of the Kern

With the current flows and forecasted run off, it is going to be a couple of months before we can even access the Forks. In the meantime and after April 30th, try hitting up some of the smaller streams, creeks and tributaries running into the main Kern River.

Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing

Come check out our new Guy Jeans School of Fly Fishing education center, which is conveniently located next to Kern River Fly Shop. Here you will find a separate area solely dedicated to teaching. This is where we hold a portion of our Beginner, Advanced, Intermediate and guide training courses.

Introducing our new online booking system for Guy Jeans Fly Fishing Guide Service. Whether you are interested in an Extended Full-Day Guide Trip to the Forks of the Kern, a Full-Day Float Trip on the Lower Kern for bass, or a Half-Day Beginner Package, we have many options available for you and your guests. Pick the date and book it now before it is too late! BOOK A GUIDE TRIP NOW.

For the latest and greatest updated reports, do not forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Here we are during the middle of winter in the Southern Sierra and we now have more water than we know what to do with. The upper river hasn’t dropped below 2000 cubic feet in a month. The lake is filling up and the lower Kern is raging too. Is there fishing to be done? Watch the videos below to find out.

We will have specials on rods, reels, waders, boots, flies, stripping baskets, lines, hats and clothing. If you or a friend need to get outfitted we will have everything you need. You wont find any better deals on these items and if you buy a rod at the show you or a friend get a free class (75.00 value).

Fly Fishing Report

20-Mile Section of the Kern (From Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year round!

The 20 mile stretch is fishing well from our fly shop up to Hospital Flat. The water temperature is 42 degrees near Kernville and 39 degrees up river past Fairview Campground. Check the latest fly fishing reports videos below.

20-Mile Section of the Kern (From Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year round!

The 20 mile stretch is fishing well from our fly shop up to the Johnsondale Bridge. The water temperature is 42 degrees near Kernville and 39 degrees up river past Fairview Campground. Check the fly fishing reports videos below.

It’s time to get that special person something for the holidays. How about a gift from our online shop or our retail store? How about a guide trip or enrollment into one of our clinics or classes? For Kern River Fly Shop Gift Cards Click Here

20-Mile Section of the Kern (From Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year round!

The 20 mile stretch is fishing well from our fly shop up to the Johnsondale Bridge. The water temperature is 48 degrees near Kernville and 39 degrees up river past Fairview Campground. Check the fly fishing reports videos below.

We will pick one lucky winner on Instagram in the next few weeks. You must follow us on Instagram to win and follow some simple rules that will be posted soon. There will be other big prizes to the lucky winner as well. In the meantime follow us on Instagram and stay tuned for more information to win a free guide trip worth $500.00 and more amazing prizes worth $600.00.

We will pick one lucky winner on Instagram in the next few weeks. You must follow us on Instagram to win and follow some simple rules that will be posted soon. There will be other big prizes to the lucky winner as well. In the meantime follow us on Instagram and stay tuned for more information to win a free guide trip worth $500.00 and more amazing prizes worth $600.00.

4 mile Wild Trout Section Open Year round! ( Above Johnsondale Bridge 4 miles) Special regulations- No BAIT OR BARBS on your hooks. Open Year round! Catch and Release only

Tyler Friend hooked up in the Wild Trout Section this week.

This section of the Kern is very popular with folks who want to have a wild trout experience. There are special regulations here and bait or barbed hooks are prohibited. Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks are allowed. Many tickets are issued here to anglers who disregard the fishing regulations. The DFW does not stock the North Fork of the Kern River north of the bridge for 50 miles and those 50 miles are managed as a wild trout fishery. The fly fishing is excellent here because of these regulations. Check your regulations before fishing here!

It’s time to get that special person something for the holidays. How about a gift from our online shop or our retail store? How about a guide trip or enrollment into one of our clinics or classes? For Kern River Fly Shop Gift Cards Click Here

20-Mile Section of the Kern(From Kern River Fly Shop to Johnsondale Bridge) Open Year round

Do you need a fly fishing fix??? Now is the time to go fly fishing on the upper Kern River. Crowds are gone and Guy has been guiding the upper river with no other humans on the water. Weather is perfect, fish are happy, hungry and bugs are abundant on the upper Kern River 20 mile section. Folks are wading the river and having a good time fishing the pocket water runs and riffles. Best technique to use is a dry/dropper. Watch the videos above for more information. Temperatures are dropping down to the low 50s in the evening and mid 70s throughout the day. You will experience a 25 degrees cooler in the upper elevations. Those folks only focused on hatchery planted fish aren’t doing well. Fly fishers matching the natural aquatic insects and focusing on wild trout in the 20 mile section are doing well. Click on these links to see the flies we are using. Fuzzy Wuzzy size 6-10, Rubber Leg Stimulator size 6-16, Parachute X Orange size 10, Streambank Hopper Size 10 and these droppers as well Tungsten Yellow Sallie size 10-18, Tungsten Psycho May size 16-20

Caught in the 20 mile section recently!

This 21 inch fish above was caught during the SWC Fly Fishing Tournament November 5, 2016

It’s time to get that special person something for the holidays. How about a gift from our online shop or our retail store? How about a guide trip or enrollment into one of our clinics or classes? For Kern River Fly Shop Gift Cards Click Here

This section of the Kern is very popular with folks who want to have a wild trout experience. There are special regulations here and bait or barbed hooks are prohibited. Only artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks are allowed. Many tickets are issued here to anglers who disregard the fishing regulations. The DFW does not stock the North Fork of the Kern River north of the bridge for 50 miles and those 50 miles are managed as a wild trout fishery. The fly fishing is excellent here because of these regulations. Check your regulations before fishing here!

Click on any of the products or flies to see the pictures or to purchase online.

South Fork of the Kern Open!

The South Fork of the Kern River is a special fishery and is home to our states freshwater fish, the Golden Trout. It is also home to the predatory non native Brown trout who considers the small golden trout a tasty treat.

A great fly to use on the South Fork of the Kern is the Parachute Adams size 22. Please use barbless hooks on these waters.

No water in the South Fork @ Kennedy Meadows- Water re enters down stream at Trout creek.